Mapuches of Chile are unique among the indigenous people of Latin America

 Mapuches of Chile are unique among the indigenous people of Latin America

The Mapuches are the only indigenous people in Latin America who fought fiercely against the Spanish invaders and forced them to sign a peace agreement through the Parlamento de Quilín in 1641. Under this agreement, Mapuches were given official recognition as an independent people and Bio Bio river was fixed as the southern frontier of the Spanish. The Spanish King Felipe IV ratified the parlamento in 1643—offering a level of official recognition by the crown that no other Indigenous group in the Western Hemisphere ever received.

In his 1569 epic poem “La Araucana,” Alonso de Ercilla y Zúñiga, a Spanish soldier, extolled the virtues of the Mapuche in a narrative based on his experiences in the field. “La Araucana” became one of the best-known epic poems of the era. 
 
The Chilean oligarchs, who took over the rule of the country after independence from Spain, have grabbed the indigenous lands and marginalized the people.
 
In recent years, the indigenous people, who form more than ten percent of the population, have been protesting for restoration of their lands and recognition of their culture. The new draft constitution of Chile recognizes the languages and tradition of indigenous people including the Mapuches, the largest group. In fact, the first president of the new constituent assembly was a Mapuche lady academic Elisa Loncon. 

                                                               Elisa Loncon

Hopefully the draft constitution will be approved in the referendum on 4 September. If not, the indigenous will continue their protests.
 
More in the Americas Quarterly article..https://www.americasquarterly.org/article/when-chiles-indigenous-made-the-spanish-back-down/#.YuKhevBHjIA.twitter